Amid women’s safety initiatives launched by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister (CM) C Joseph Vijay, another minor girl fell prey to a sexual offence in the state’s Thiruvallur district on Sunday. A 3-year-old girl, who went missing on Sunday, was later found in bushes with grievous injuries. She died while being treated at the hospital, and it was learnt that she had been sexually assaulted, the police reported on Monday. The police said they have arrested a man from Bihar in connection with the incident.

As per locals, the girl had been playing near her home. One of her neighbours said she had seen a migrant worker taking her to a room but did not suspect anything, as the girl’s family and the man were migrant workers living in the area.

Girl went missing on Sunday

According to police, the girl went missing on Sunday evening. When she did not return home, her mother began searching for her at around 6 pm. During this, she found her in the nearby bushes with critical wounds. Residents alleged that the accused, identified as Vibin Manch, had lured the minor girl with a packet of biscuits before taking her away. She was rushed to the hospital after being discovered in a critical condition, but succumbed to her injuries.

The police have arrested Manch (19), a native of Bihar, and have begun probing the incident.

Political tensions flare after incident

In the aftermath of the brutal sexual assault, causing the girl’s death, a political war of words ensued across the state. DMK MP Kanimozhi expressed shock over the death of the girl, saying reports that the child had been sexually assaulted and had been abandoned in a bush had left her ‘frozen in shock.’ She posted a message on ‘X’, urging women to take precautions for their own safety and that of their kids, while questioning the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam’s (TVK) handling of law and order.

DMK Leader Udhayanidhi Stalin also launched a sharp attack, demanding that police identify all the ones responsible and ensure strict punishment. He alleged that crimes against women and children were spiking under the TVK government’s tenure and claimed the state’s law-and-order machinery was on ‘life support.’

Hospital where the victim girl was taken

Stalin mentions string of similar incidents

While criticising the TVK government, Stalin also cited a string of similar incidents reported recently from different localities of the state. Furthermore, he accused the government of failing to take adequate steps to ensure public safety. He urged CM Vijay to convene a high-level meeting with senior police officers of the state and issue stricter directives on crime prevention across Tamil Nadu.

The horrific incident and Stalin’s criticism comes days after the TVK government introduced ‘Singappenn,’ a special women’s safety force announced by CM Vijay shortly after he assumed office. The initiative is aimed at ramping up measures to protect girls and women.